Expert Picks - Katie Mikolay Gensler

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Please note that selections typically are available about 48 hours in advance of the race.

Race Date

Date

E.g., Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Katie Mikolay Gensler

Katie Mikolay Gensler's first exposure to racing came at a young age, attending Arlington Park with her family on weekends when she grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. She has been the racing analyst at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans, Louisiana for the last three years. In addition to hosting the daily Churchill Downs Simulcast Network production of live Fair Grounds racing, Mikolay co-hosts the pre-race Fair Grounds Today show. She also contributes to FairGroundsRaceCourse.com as both a handicapper and blogger during the live Thoroughbred meeting and has made special appearances on HRTV and NBC Sports. During the summers, she performs similar duties at Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pennsylvania for the 100-day race meet for the last five years. As an advocate for fan education, Katie has teamed up with America's Best Racing to teach wagering and produce racing 101 videos to increase horse racing awareness. She has been married to Thoroughbred horse trainer, Hank Gensler, for three years.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Wednesday, October 8th, 2014

Race 1: CHARACTER WITNESS (4) was caught in a speed duel on debut, and should improve second time out especially a short field lacking early speed. LILI’S IMAGE (1) ran well in her latest and should be a solid threat from off the pace. END OF THE SEARCH (5) has plenty of works to be ready first time out for a 20% stable with firsters.

Picks 4-1-5

Race 2: PARTYINSLOWMOTION (6) has been training well to make a big splash against maiden claimers first time. She ran second going short against MSW company and should like some class relief. THREE WAY TICKET (4) can handle the distance, but the surface is the big question. FLASHY DIMONTINA (2) may have needed the race last time and should improve today especially with a wet track.

Picks 6-4-2

Race 3: ERRANT (6) ran well his first time out on the grass in a key race. OAK BROOK (12) seems to enjoy a yielding turf course, and should move forward at second asking for a hot barn. GALLANT STEED (8) has several intriguing works in the a.m. to be something special. Let’s see if the GHOSTZAPPER colt like two turns on the grass for a sharp 2yo outfit.

Picks 6-12-8

Race 4: MY BOY CHISUM (3) appears to be the one to catch in this short field as he looks for a repeat of his latest performance. AZTEC BRAVE (2) makes his first start on the dirt, and should be stalking from the inside. SOUTHERN BLESSING (6) had a promising career as a 2yo, which he broke his maiden from off the pace going 5/8ths. He makes his second start off the claim.

Picks 3-2-6

Race 5: SHOBIZ STAR (7) ran well against older horses and exits a win on the dirt. SOLDIER IN THE RAIN (4) returns to the dirt after several attempts against turf horses in highly competitive allowance races. He broke his maiden over a sloppy dirt track, but the shorter distance may be an issue. PARTY TIME (8) has run decent on the dirt as a maiden and should be a player early on in the race.

Picks 7-4-8

Race 6: CZAR (8) ran third with a wide trip in a KD stakes. He exits two key races with a good chance to break his maiden third time out. HILLBILLY STYLE (3) rallied late for third on the grass and may like the added distance today. SPORTS BOOK (5) was purchased for $350k at Keeneland sales and has plenty of good works to be fit for a 20% first time starter stable.

Picks 8-3-5

Race 7: DONOHARM (10) ran second against similar last time out as the favorite. He fits well in class and should get a good trip from off the pace with most of the early pace drawn way inside. CATHOLIC COWBOY (9) won his last two starts going long on the dirt and nice works to be ready off a short break. O T B BOB (7) is a sharp closer that returns fresh at good odds.

Picks 10-9-7

Race 8: The Grade III JPMorgan Chase Jessamine Stakes

FILA PRIMERA (3) won her first time out, and it was on the grass. She seems to like the grass and runs for a top-notch stable with a sharp rider in the saddle. QUALITY ROCKS (4) is a stakeswinner on the Polytrack going short. RAINHA DA BATERIA (9) may be able to improve second time going long for sharp connections.

Picks 3-4-9

Race 9: ENCHANTING LISA (5) has been competitive on the grass and moves to the dirt hopeful for her second career victory. She has strong bloodlines being the half-sister of WISE DAN and SUCCESSFUL DAN. UNE CHERISE (4) won by eights lengths to break her maiden and has early speed. LADY MARIAN (1) won at the distance on the dirt last time out.